The Spanish Gas Association (Sedigas) has welcomed the approval by the Government of the plan to deploy smart meters in the natural gas network, as well as the establishment of the minimum specifications that these devices must meet, as stated this Tuesday in a statement.
For the association, this measure "allows for progress in a modernization that will have a direct application in homes and businesses," thanks to remote readings, reduced dependence on estimated consumption, and access to daily data that will allow for a more detailed understanding of how and when gas is used.
In addition, Sedigas understands that this transformation will favor a "more efficient management of energy and a more transparent relationship with the supply."
More detailed information for the user
The president of Sedigas, Joan Batalla, has emphasized that "the value of this transformation lies in the service that the consumer receives." "Having more precise information about their consumption will help them identify savings opportunities and make more informed decisions," he indicated, stressing that the approval of the plan allows the sector to "organize the deployment and transfer these improvements to homes and businesses."
The order requires the renewal of analog meters at supply points with an annual consumption equal to or less than 50,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) and to integrate the new equipment into the remote management systems of the network holders. From the entry into force, at least 20% of the fleet must be replaced within three years (October 2029), 50% within five years (2031), and 80% within seven (2033), until the process is completed within a maximum of ten years (October 2036).
Once that period has elapsed, each network holder may retain without replacement up to 2% of their fleet for reasons beyond their responsibility, provided that they are duly justified and have the approval of the National Commission of Markets and Competition (CNMC). The regulation also empowers the Secretary of State for Energy to relax the schedules when the unforeseen lack of equipment prevents compliance.
Schedule for investments and large consumption
"This horizon allows for planning investments, the provisioning of equipment, and installation actions," highlighted Sedigas. In the case of supplies with consumption exceeding 50,000 kWh and equal to or less than five gigawatt hours (GWh) that do not yet have remote measurement, they must incorporate remote reading systems (a module attached to the conventional meter that transmits consumption data) or, if applicable, smart meters.
For this segment, the replacement objectives are set at 50% at five years and 80% at seven, with a maximum limit of ten years to complete the deployment. Network holders may delay the start of the implementation until the CNMC determines a rental price for the remote measurement module.
"The implementation of smart meters in natural gas consumption marks a relevant evolution for the energy system," emphasized the organization, detailing that these devices make "frequent remote readings possible, avoiding estimates and optimizing network management." They also provide consumers with detailed information about their daily consumption, which promotes more efficient energy use, facilitates economic savings, and strengthens the user's ability to make informed decisions.
Smart meters also improve billing transparency, help reduce complaints, enhance fraud detection, and increase security thanks to features such as the remote cut-off of supply in emergency situations.
In this way, users will be able to consult for free, through a website and a mobile application, their daily consumption for the last 24 months (or since the start of the contract, if more recent), with a maximum delay of three days. This data will allow for the comparison of consumption periods and the detection of possible changes in behavior.
The digital platform must be operational within a maximum period of one year, and programmatic access (API) will be enabled within a maximum of two years. Sedigas has also pointed out that remote reading "will reduce the need to access homes or premises to collect meter data."